Rotary window construction



March 15, 1955 F. J. HOWARD 2,704,207

' ROTARY WINDOW CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 9, 1955 e Sheets-Sheet 1 ,C/ ZINVENTOR.

March 15, 1955 P. J. HOWARD 2,704,207

ROTARY WINDOW CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 9, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 15,1955 O P. .1. HOWARD 2,704,207

ROTARY WINDOW CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 9, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 52 gas 549 65 INVENTOR. 20 2404.! #040420 BY 52 55 a L6 5 J flrroewzvs March 15,1955 J, HOWARD ROTARY WINDOW CONSTRUCTION 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 9,1955 a M W m fim e E0 0 w W March 15, 1955 P. J. HOWARD ROTARY wmnowCONSTRUCTION 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed NOV. 9, 1953 flrrazuzw INVENTOR.P404 ./f A/Od/AED March 15, 1955 P. J. HOWARD ROTARY WINDOW CONSTRUCTIONFiled Nov. 9, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 F/a. l2,

. INVENTOR. P404 A/awneo United States Patent ROTARY WINDOW CONSTRUCTIONPaul J. Howard, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application November 9, 1953, Serial No. 390,955

12 Claims. (Cl. 268-104) This invention relates to windows and isparticularly dlrected to improvements in rotary windows of the typeemployed in buildings or other structures.

This invention finds particular usefulness in connection with windowconstructions for dwellings, office buildings, hotels, apartments, etc.but these are by way of illustra tion and the inventon is not limited tosuch uses.

Rotary windows of various types have been proposed heretofore but suchdevices have not met with any general acceptance and have not enjoyedcommercial success. In general, the prior attempts to producesatisfactory rotary window constructions have met with failure becausethe devices were too complicated and expensive and because they failedto turn freely. Furthermore, they did not provide weather-tight joinsand were difficult to install and maintain.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide an improvedrotary window construction in which the above named deficiencies ofprior devices are minimized or altogether eliminated.

It is another object of this invention to provide a rotary windowconstruction having a plurality of circular disks mounted to turn on acommon axis, together with novel means accessible from the inside of theroom for turning any one or all of the disks and for maintaining them inselected position.

It is another object of this invention to provide such a device whichmay readily be proportioned to fit within buildings of otherwiseconventional construction.

Another object is to provide such a device in which the lower half ofeach disk is concealed within the wall and only the upper half isvisible.

Another object is to provide adjacent disks with generally semi-circularsections which are formed of glass, screen, curtain materials and thelike so that by turning each of the disks individually any desiredcombination of such materials can be achieved. Thus by turning theindividual disks the window opening may be entirely unobstructed andfully open, or covered only by the screen, or covered by eithertransparent glass or translucent glass, curtained or entirely shut-offby an opaque surrace.

A more particular object is to provide a rotary window constructionemploying a plurality of co-axial disks. Each of the disks having morethan two sections and a stationary section on the frame worksymmetrically positioned between window openings on either side.

Other related details and advantages will appear hereinafter.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a window construction embodying myinvention as it appears from the outside of the building.

Figure 2 is a top plan view.

Figure 3 is a sectional elevation taken substantially on the lines 3-3as shown in Figure 1 Figure 4 is a sectional plan view takensubstantially on the lines 4-4 as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a front elevation showing a portion of the device takensubstantially on the lines 5-5 as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 6 is an elevation view partly broken away taken substantially onthe lines 6-6 as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary detail taken substantially on the lines 7-7 asviewed in Figure 1.

Figure 8 is an elevation partly in section showing a modified form of myinvention.

2,704,207 Patented Mar. 15, 1955 Figure 9 is a sectional elevation takensubstantially on the lines 9-9 as shown in Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a sectional plan view taken substantially on the lines10-10 as shown in Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a front elevation of the device taken substantially on thelines 11-11 as shown in Figure 9.

Figure 12 is an elevation partly in section taken substantially on thelines 12-12 as shown in Figure 9.

Figure 13 is an elevation view partly in section taken substantially onthe lines 13-13 as shown in Figure 9.

In the drawings:

The rotary window construction embodying my invention includes aplurality of rotary disks 10, 11, and 12, mounted co-axially on astationary frame work generally designated 13. The frame work defines asemicircular window opening, generally designated 9. Each of the disksis circular in outline and each is provided with two generallysemi-circular sections or areas. The outside disk 10 may be providedwith window glass 14 on one section and screen 15 on the other. The disk11 may carry an adjustable Venetian blind ventilator device 16 on onesection and may have an opening or void 17 on the other. The inner disk12 may have tinted glass 18 on one section and an opening or void 19 onthe other. A solid sheet 20 of metal or any other suitable materialcovers the lower half of the device on the inside so that only the upperportion of the disks are visible from the interior of the building.

In the general scheme of operation, the individual disks 1t), 11, and12, can be turned to present either of their two sections in the upperhalf of the window opening. A maximum amount of light is admitted whenthe disks 11 and 12 have their open parts 17 and 19 in the windowopening, the outer disk 10 presenting either the window glass 14 orwindow screen 15 to cover the opening. Similarly, other combinations canbe achieved by suitable turning of the individual disks 10, 11, and 12.

The frame work generally designated 13 includes the inner frame rail 21and the outer frame rail 22. These may be rectangular in shape andspaced apart so that their maximum width overall is substantially thesame as the outside wall of the building. The frame rails may be fixedto the wall by any suitable or convenient fastening devices 23. Astructural plate 24 is connected to the inner frame rail 21 by means offastening elements 25. Similarly, another structural plate 26 is fixedto the outer frame rail 22 by means of fastening elements 27, this platecovers the entire lower half of the window opening on the outside of thestructure.

A circular structure generally designated 28 includes a pair of circularrails 29 and 30 which are connected by a circular spacer element 31. Thecircular rails 29 and 30 are connected to the structural plates 26 and24 respectively by means of suitable fastening elements 32. Thefastening elements also act to secure the annular ring 33 to thestructural plate 24 and to secure the annular member 34 to thestructural plate 26. The outer disk 10 turns within the member 34, thecenter disk 11 turns within the spacer element 31 and the inner disk 12turns within the circular rail 30. An annular filler piece 35 may beinterposed between the disk 11 and the structural plate 26. Sufiicientclearance is present between the outer rims of the disks 10, 11, and 12to permit them to turn readily within the enclosing portions of theframe work 13.

Means are provided for rotatably supporting the disks in co-axialrelationship and as shown in the drawings this means includes the shaft36 which has an enlarged portion 37 fixed with respect to the hub 38 ofthe disk 10. The shaft 36 and disk 10 turn as a unit. The disk 11 isprovided with a hub 39 which turns freely on the shaft 36 and which isprovided with an integral axial sleeve 40. A gear 41 is fixed on thissleeve by means of a set screw 42. From this description, it will beunderstood that the center disk 11 and the gear 41 turn as a unit.

The inner disk 12 is provided with a hub 43 having an axial projection44. A gear 45 is fixed to this projection by means of a set screw 46.The hub 43 and projection 44 turn on the sleeve 40 so that the disk 12and gear 45 turn as a unit. Suitable bearing means are provided forrotatably supporting the shaft and hubs of the disks. As

shown in the drawings, this bearing means includes a supporting member47 carried on the annular filler piece 35 by means of the horizontalspokes 48. A second supporting bearing is provided by the member 49which is mounted on the removable strut 50. This removable strut 50 isheld in place by means of the wing nuts 51 and threaded elements 52.

The outer disk may be turned relative to the frame work 13 by means ofthe crank 53 mounted on the inner end of the shaft 36. A portion of theshaft 36 is threaded, as shown at 54, to receive the clamping nut 55.Tightening of this nut 55 on the threads 54 serves to clamp the shieldor guard 56 against the stationary elements 20, 49,

and 50, and to clamp the outer rim of the window disk 10 against thestationary circular member 34.

As shown in Figure 4, the strut 50 carries a pair of parallel shafts 57and 58. Suitable bearing means 59 are provided for rotatably supportingthe inner ends of these shafts. The outer ends are rotatably supportedin bearings 60 carried on the housing 56. The housing is attached to theremovable strut 50 by means of suitable fastenings 61. The handwheel 62is fixed on the outer end of each of the shafts 57 and 58. The gear 63is fixed to the shaft 57 by means of the set screw 64. Similarly, thegear 65 is fixed to the shaft 58 by means of the set screw 66. Turningof the handwheel 62 on shaft 57 is, therefore, effective to turn gear 63and meshing gear 45 thereby turning the window disk 12. Similarly,turning of the handwheel 62 on shaft 58 is effective to turn gear 65 andmeshing gear 41 and thereby turn the window disk 11. The shaft 58 may belocked in selected position by means of the clamp nut 67 and, similarly,the shaft 57 may be locked in selected position by means of the clampnut 68.

From the above description, it will be understood that the window disk10 is turned by means of the crank 53 and locked by means of the clampnut 55. Similarly, window disk 11 is turned by means of the shaft 58 andheld in position by means of the clamp nut 67. The inner window disk 12is turned by means of the shaft 57 and clamped in selected position bymeans of the clamp nut 68.

Any one of the window disks may be turned without affecting any of theothers.

A feature of my invention resides in the fact that clamping of the shaft36 to prevent rotation thereof is effective to clamp the rim of theouter window disk 10 against the frame work 13 and thereby effectivelyto seal the window structure against entry of water. The

channel 69 formed in the member 34 prevents rain water from gravitatinginto the interior of the window structure.

While each of the window disks has been shown and described as havingonly two sections, which sections are substantially semi-circular, it isrecognized that a greater number of sections can be provided on any oneof the window disks. In the particular form of the inventionillustrated, the window disk 10 has a screen filling one of the twosections and this screen is held in place by means of suitable fasteningelements 70. The other half section of disk 10 is formed of window glass14 which is held in place by putty 71 or by any other convenient means.

The window disk 11 has a void or opening 17 comprising one of itssections within its outer rim. The other section may comprise an opaquesheet or plate 72 carrying the Venetian blind structure 16. Thisstructure 16 may take the form of commercially available louvres 73mounted within a sub-frame 74 and having mechanism generally designated75 for simultaneously shifting the position of the louvres 73. A controlknob 76 is available for manual action. When the disk 11 is shifted fromthe position shown in Figure 3 to bring the Venetian blind mechanism 16into the upper half of the window structure, the control knob 76 isaccessible through the opening 19 provided in the window disk 12. Theopening 19 comprises one section of the window 12 and the transluscentglass 18 provides the other section. The glass 18 may be held in placeby putty 77 or by any other convenient means. This glass 18 transmitslight but it is not possible to see through it.

With the particular form of window disks shown in Figures 1-7, themaximum amount of light is obtained when the parts are in the positionshown in Figure 3. The screen 15 may be brought into position instead ofthe transparent glass 14 simply by turning the crank 53. For privacy,the transluscent glass may be swung into position by turning the shaft57. If it is desired to close the window entirely against entrance ofboth light and air the window disk 11 may be turned by means of theshaft 58 to bring the opaque member 72 into position. It the louvres 73are closed no light or air is admitted. Opening of the louvres permitsthe desired amount of air to be admitted into the room.

In the modified form of my invention shown in Figures 8l3, there isshown a rotary window construction especially adapted for installationin the bathroom of a dwelling. Three co-axial window disks 10a, 11a, and12a, are provided and these are mounted for coaxial turning movement ina manner similar to that described above. The frame structure 13a isalso similar in many respects to that previously described.

This form of my invention differs primarily in that the window disks 11aand 12a are provided with six sections instead of two and the frame workprovides a stationary cabinet or shelf in the central portion of theupper of the window structure and between the disks 10a and 11a. Windowopenings generally designated 78 and 79 are defined by the frame onopposite sides of the cabinet 80. These window openings are of the samesize and shape as the cabinet 80 and constitute a segment of a circle.This stationary cabinet or shelf space is shown at 80 and includes thehorizontal shelves 81, 82, and 83, which extend between divergingstationary ribs 84. A rear plate 85 in the shape of a segment of acircle forms the rear boundary of the cabinet. The plate 85 does notextend beyond the outer edges of the diverging stationary ribs 84. Thestationary horizontal ribs 86 are joined with the ribs 84 and with thesemi-circular rim 87. These horizontal ribs provide shelf space 88.

The cabinet 80 is proportioned to occupy an area equal to one-sixth thearea of the window disks and is shaped to conform to the shape of eachof the sections of disks 11a and 12a.

The window disk 10a is preferably provided with two large semi-circularsections, as previously described. This disk 10a is best shown in Figure11. The disk 11a is best shown in Figure 12 and may include two curtainsections 89 separated by a void or open section 90. The other threesections 91, 92, and 93, of the disk 11a are likewise void or open. Inthe position shown in Figure 12, the open section 92 permits access tomaterial placed on the shelves 81, 82, and 83. The open sections 91 and93 permit access to materials on the horizontal shelf 88. The sectionsare defined between spokes 94 which radiate from the hub structure 95 tothe circular rim 96.

The inner window disk 12a is best shown in Figure 8. This diskpreferably has a mirror in sections 97 and 98, voids or open spaces insections 99 and 100, and sheet metal blanks 101 and 102.

The window disks 10a, 11a, and 12a, are mounted in the manner previouslydescribed and arranged so that they may be independently turned andindependently held in position. The outer window disk 10a is fixed onthe rotary shaft 103, the intermediate window disk 11a is carried on thesleeve 104 and the inner window disk 12a is mounted on the extension 105of the hub 106. The window disk 10a is turned by means of crank 107 andheld in selected position by means of the wing nut 108. The clamp actionof the wing nut 108 brings the rim 109 into sealing engagement with thestationary member 110 on the frame work 13a. The window disk 11a isturned from handwheel 111 by way of shaft 112, gear 113 and meshing gear114. The inner window disk 12a is turned by means of handwheel 115acting through shaft 116, gear 117, and meshing gear 118. The wing nuts119 and 120 serve to clamp the shaft 112 and 116 respectively in thedesired position. The window disk 11a may be turned to position thecurtains 89 over the window openings on opposite sides of the cabinet,if desired, or may be turned to the position shown in Figure 12 in whichthe curtains 89 are positioned out of sight behind the structural sheet121 which covers the entire lower half of the rotary windowconstruction. The outer window disk 10a can be turned to either of thesepositions to provide either glass or screen for the window openings oneach side of the central cabinet 80. The window disk 12a may be turnedto bring either of the mirror sections into place in front of thecentral cabinet and to place the openings 99 and 100 or the blank metalsections 101 and 102 in front of the window openings. Access to articlesplaced on the shelves 88 is obtained when the void or open sections 99and 100 are in the position shown in Figure 8 The inner window disk 12amust be turned from the position shown in Figure 8 in order to gainaccess to the shelves within the cabinet 80.

A light 122 may be centrally mounted on the frame work above theposition of the cabinet 80. This light may be controlled from the switch123. Suitable electrical outlets 124 for operating electric shavers,etc., may be mounted adjacent the switch 123. If desired, a recess 125for a drinking glass 126 may be provided on the frame work 13.

Having fully described my invention, it is to be understood that I donot wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but my inventionis of the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a rotary window construction, the combination of: a stationaryframe defining a window opening, a plurality of coaxial window diskseach divided into a pinrality of sections, one of the disks having acircular rim adapted to clamp against an outward facing element of theframe to form a peripheral seal, a shaft rotatably mounted upon theframe and fixed relative to the said disk, means rotatably supportinganother disk upon said shaft at a location inward from said seal, meansfor turning the shaft and for turning the other disk independently toalign any desired disk sections with said window opening, and commonmeans for securing the shaft against turning and for clamping the firstsaid disk in sealing relationship.

2. In a rotary window construction, the combination of: a plurality ofcoaxial window disks each divided into a plurality of sections of thesame size, a stationary frame defining a window opening of the same sizeas said disk sections, one of the disks having a circular rim adapted toclamp against an outward facing element of the frame to form aperipheral seal, a shaft rotatably mounted upon the frame and fixedrelative to the said disk, means rotatably supporting another disk uponsaid shaft at a location inward from said seal, means for turning theshaft and for turning the other disk independently to align any desireddisk sections with said window opening, and common means for securingthe shaft against turning and for clamping the first said disk insealing relationship.

3. In a rotary window construction, the combination of: a stationaryframe defining a semicircular window opening, a plurality of coaxialwindow disks each divided into two equal semicircular sections, one ofthe disks having a circular rim adapted to clamp against an outwardfacing element of the frame to form a peripheral seal, a shaft rotatablymounted upon the frame and fixed relative to the latter said disk, meansrotatably supporting the other disks upon said shaft at locations inwardfrom said seal, means for turning the shaft and for turning the otherdisks independently to align any desired disk sections with said windowopening, and common means for clamping the shaft against turning and forclamping the said disk in sealing relationship.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of: a stationaryframe defining a window open ng, a plurality of coaxial window disks,each disk being divided into a plurality of sections of equal s1ze,,ashaft fixed to one of the disks and rotatably mounted on the frame, thelatter said disk having a circular rim adapted to clamp against anoutward facing element of the frame to form a peripheral seal, means forturning the shaft, common means for clamping the shaft against turningand for clamping the said disk against said frame element, a sleeverotatably mounted on the shaft and fixed to a second disk, a hubrotatably mounted on the sleeve and fixed to a third disk, and gearmeans for turning the sleeve and hub independently, whereby any desireddisk sections may be aligned with said window opening.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of: a stationaryframe defining a semi-circular window opening, a plurality of coaxialwindow disks each having two semicircular sections, a shaft fixed to oneof the disks and rotatably mounted on the frame, the latter said diskhaving a circular rim adapted to clamp against an outward facing elementof the frame to form a peripheral seal, means for turning the shaft,common means for clamping the shaft against turning and for clamping thesaid disk against said frame element, a sleeve rotatably mounted on theshaft and fixed to a second disk, a hub rotatably mounted on the sleeveand fixed to a third disk, a gear fixed on the sleeve, a gear fixed onthe hub, and means for turning said gears independently, whereby anydesired disk sections may be aligned with said window opening.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination of: a stationaryframe defining a window opening in the shape of a segment of a circle, aplurality of coaxial window disks each having a plurality of segmentalsections of the same size as the window opening, a shaft fixed to one ofthe disks and rotatably mounted on the frame, the latter said diskhaving a circular rim adapted to clamp against an outward facing elementof the frame to form a peripheral seal, means for turning the shaft,common means for clamping the shaft against turning and for clamping thesaid disk against said frame element, a sleeve rotatably mounted on theshaft and fixed to a second disk, a hub rotatably mounted on the sleeveand fixed to a third disk, a first gear fixed on the sleeve, a secondgear fixed on the hub, a third gear meshing with the first gear, afourth gear meshing with the second gear, a common housing enclosingsaid gears, and means projecting from said housing for turning the thirdand fourth gears independently, whereby any desired disk sections may bealigned with said window opening.

7. In a rotary window construction, the combination of: a stationaryframe defining two separate window openings, the openings being of thesame size and constituting segments of a circle, the openings beingspaced apart by a frame structure having the same shape as the saidopenings, a plurality of coaxial window disks, one of the disks beingpositioned on one side of said frame structure, the other of the diskshaving a plurality of sections of the same size and shape as saidopenings and being adapted for alignment therewith, the latter said diskbeing positioned on the other side of said frame structure, and meansfor independently turning each of the disks.

8. In a rotary window construction, the combination of: a stationaryframe defining two separate window openings, the openings being of thesame size and each constituting one of six equal segments of a circle,the openings being spaced apart by a frame structure having the samesegmental shape as the said window openings, a plurality of coaxialwindow disks, one of the disks being positioned on one side of saidframe structure, the other of the disks having six sections of the samesize and shape as said openings and being adapted for alignmenttherewith, the latter said disk being positioned on the other side ofsaid frame structure, and means for independently turning each of thedisks.

9. In a rotary window construction, the combination of: a stationaryframe defining two separate window openings, the openings being of thesame size and constituting segments of a circle, the openings beingspaced apart by a frame structure having the same shape as the saidopenings, a plurality of coaxial window disks, at least one of the diskshaving a plurality of sections of the same size and shape as saidopenings and being adapted for alignment therewith, said disk beingpositioned on one side of said frame structure, another of said disksbeing positioned on' the other side of said frame structure, a shaftrotatably mounted on the frame and fixed relative to the latter saiddisk, means rotatably supporting the other of said disks upon saidshaft, means for turning the shaft, and means for independently turningthe said other disk.

10. In a rotary window construction, the combination of: a stationaryframe defining two separate window openings, the openings being of thesame size and constituting segments of a circle, the frame including acabinet having the same shape as the said window openings and positionedtherebetween, a plurality of coaxial window disks, at least one of thedisks having a plurality of sections of the same size and shape as saidwindow openings and being adapted for alignment therewith, the lattersaid disk being positioned on one side of the cabinet and the otherdisks being positioned on the other side of the cabinet, and means onthe frame supporting the disks for independent turning movement.

11. In a rotary window construction, the combination of: a stationaryframe defining two separate window openings, the openings being of thesame size and con- 7 stituting segments of a circle, the openings beingspaced apart by a frame structure having the same shape as the saidopenings, a plurality of coaxial window disks, at least one of the diskshaving a plurality of sections of the same size and shape as saidopenings and being adapted for alignment therewith, one of the diskshaving a circular rim adapted to clamp against an element of the frameto form a seal, a shaft rotatably mounted upon the frame and fixedrelative to the said disk, means rotatably supporting another disk uponsaid shaft, means for turning the shaft and for turning the other diskindependently to align any desired disk sections with said windowopenings, and common means for securing the shaft against turning andfor clamping the first said disk in sealing relationship.

12. In a rotary window construction, the combination of: a stationaryframe defining two separate window openings, the openings being of thesame size and constituting segments of a circle, the frame including acabinet having the same shape as the said window openings and positionedtherebetween, a plurality of coaxial window disks, at least one of thedisks having a plurality of sections of the same size and shape as saidwindow openings and being adapted for alignment therewith, the lattersaid disk being positioned on one side of the cabinet and the otherdisks being positioned on the other side of the cabinet, a shaft fixedto one of the disks and rotatably mounted on the frame, means forturning the shaft, a sleeve rotatably mounted on the shaft and fixed toa second disk, a hub rotatably mounted on the sleeve and fixed to athird disk, and gear means for turning the sleeve and hub independentlywhereby any desired disk sections may be aligned with said windowopenings.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS728,875 Currier May 26, 1903 1,433,780 Bushell Oct. 31, 1922 1,714,157Clark May 21, 1929 1,819,905 Lyons Aug. 18, 1931 2,158,395 Beil May 16,1939

